When There Is Nothing Left But Love

He smiled and took the bowl of chowder from me, then he sipped from it. He nodded, probably thinking it was fine. “Do you cook a lot in the past?”

I could never understand how he managed to shift the topics that fast. I shook my head. “No. I often saw my grandma making this when I was little.”

He nodded and sipped the chowder in silence, as if reminiscing the past. I didn’t want to break the silence, so I observed him. A short while later, he looked up at me. “Was it hard living in R Province?”

I stared at him, stupefied. “How did you know that’s where I lived?”

He found that question amusing. “That’s not too hard to figure out. I told you I helped you out so I can get my hands on that sandalwood box. Is it that surprising that I’d look into your past then?”

Well, that argument was sound, so I nodded. “I see.” He waited for me to continue, so I said, “Not really. I didn’t starve or die out in the cold. At least it was better than how I live now.”

He smiled at me again and put the bowl away. “Have you ever regretted at choosing Ashton?”

by surprise, and I couldn’t answer him.

and shook his head, then he stopped asking any

went back to my bedroom, spaced out.

came, and thunder rolled in the skies as rain poured. I thought of Armond and his wound, and I wondered if the curtains in

room and knocked on the door, but nobody came to open it, though I heard something crashing inside. Surprised, I went inside, but

to knock on it. “Are

he interrupted,

against the door, but it wouldn’t budge. Looks like I’ll have to wait. He came out a long while later and was covering himself with a towel. Did he take a

upset. “I told you to stay clear of water. Your wound’s going to get infected, and more so when the weather’s hot.” I dragged him to the chair, fuming. Then I pulled his towel away to check his wound again, but I overlooked one thing. He just came out of the bathroom,

else. I noticed that he was getting tense, so I said, “Relax. I’m just going to take a look at your wound. It might have to get

and a pus is forming,” I cursed and looked at him. “Just wipe yourself off

“I’m used to it,